Boat anchor Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Is it really true that the XYZ Extreme’s holding power is greaterthan the strength of the anchor's rode?

A: When set in a good holding bottom, using the standard recom –mended size rode, YES, the Extreme’s holding power will exceed the strength of the rode. THE Extreme MAY BE THE ONLY ANCHOR TO ACHIEVE THIS ENORMOUS HOLDING POWER.
For easy retrieval simply come directly over the anchor and pull upwards.

Q: What happens when the pull on the rode changes to a different horizontal angle from the one that originally set the boat anchor (i.e. a wind direction shift)?

A: The XYZ self corrects quickly to re-establish its maximum holding power angle. All boat anchors have an optimum maximum holding power angle of pull when the rode pulls from straight ahead, over the center of the tip. Just 6° off, will REDUCE the holding power BY UP TO 70%! If a boat anchor cannot correct itself quickly, it will break out in a short distance. THOSE BOAT ANCHORS ARE NOT SAFE. This boat anchor has been carefully designed to correct itself immediately.

Q: Why is the XYZ shaped so much differently from other anchors?

A: The shape of the Extreme’s fluke is designed to maximize resistance to breakout, while minimizing resistance to digging. You will notice that the XYZ’s fluke is shaped similar to an arrowhead.
Seen from the front tip, it has a very small surface area (digging resistance). Seen from the top, it has a large surface area (breakout resistance).
Look at your present boat anchor, or any other boat anchor, from those two directions and compare the surface areas. Then compare what you see to a blade. You will then SEE why the blade is shaped the way it is. It is designed so it will dig deep easily and NOT BREAKOUT. IT WILL HOLD!

Q: The shank of the XYZ seems awfully short compared to other anchors. Why is that?

A: A long shank is easier to bend or even break. A short shank is much stronger. The best shank is short, strong, as thin as possible consistent with strength, and sharp on both the bottom and top edges. Sharp edges allow the shank to cut through the bottom surface, not restricting the anchor's ability to bury deeply. All existing anchors have long shanks simply because their design does not allow them to be shorter. And, anchor elements such as: FRONT BALLAST, ROTATING ROLL –BARS, and other elements found on most anchors make up a significant part of the weight but add NOTHING to holding power. Even worse, they can significantly restrict the anchor from penetrating deep into the seabed. The SawBlade was designed from the beginning to have a short, relatively thin shank with sharpened edges. It is strong, and does not restrict digging depth.

Q: Do heavier anchors have more holding power?

A: Yes and No. It is conventional wisdom that a 40lbs/18kg anchor will have greater holding power than a 20lbs/9kg anchor. But that is mainly because a 40lbs/18kg anchor has a larger blade area. Weight, by itself, contributes little to holding power. XYZ’s surface area and design are the main factors that determine how well an anchor holds. The weight of an anchor does affect how well the anchor can penetrate weeds or hard surface bottoms, however. For any given weight anchor, maximum holding power will be obtained by designing the highest percentage of the anchor's weight into the blade itself, to give the largest blade area possible for the weight of the anchor. The Extreme’s has almost 80% of its weight in the blade, producing more holding power for its weight than any other anchor.

The fluke area of the 18lbs/8kg Extreme’s is about equal to the fluke area of an 45lbs/20kg CQR or Bruce.

Q: You claim that the XYZ Anchor will not break out. But, really, all anchors will break –out given enough force on the rode. How can you make such a claim?

A: An anchor should NOT BREAKOUT when overpowered, if set correctly in good holding ground. It has long been an accepted theory that any anchor will eventually breakout if pulled on hard enough, even if set well in good holding ground. In other words: An anchor system's weakest link is its holding power. At XYZ, we claim that this theory is not valid any more! With the Extreme’s huge strong fluke, ultra short strong shank, ability to dig extremely deep, and the ability to correct itself for different angles of pull; The XYZ WILL NOT BREAKOUT if overpowered. The XYZ has been repeat –edly tested under extreme conditions (up to 1100 HP commercial vessel). When the XYZ was set in deep consistent sand, we were ALWAYS able to break a recom –mended size rode (often 5/16" chain) WITHOUT the XYZ breaking out or deforming in ANY way! Your XYZ holds! It will not breakout.*

Q: Why have I never read anything about some of what you say?

A: Simple answer: The XYZ Extreme is an all-new, innovative design.It is setting new performance standards with a new creativedesign elements never seen before.

*The XYZ urge mariners, whenever possible, to avoid anchoring in living coral to avoid damaging this important ecosystem.
Because of continued product improvement, XYZ reserves the right to make changes without notice.
USA Patent # 5,469,802 USA and International Patent Pending